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Optima Sports
Management International (OSMI), the sports subsidiary of the Optima
Media Group, a Lagos-based organisation has secured television rights
to the 2010 FIFA World Cup beginning in South Africa in June.

Rotimi Pedro, the
organisation’s managing director, who disclosed this at a press
conference on Wednesday in Lagos, said the rights were secured in
partnership with the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON).

Pedro said they
secured the rights based on their capacity to reach the largest
possible audience as well as their commitment to support FIFA’s
institutional campaigns and to broadcast programmes tailored for
Nigeria.

“We are delighted
to reach this agreement with FIFA to ensure effective coverage of the
2010 World Cup. I would like to extend my gratitude to all my media
partners for their co-operation in reaching this agreement. OSMI is a
leading broadcaster in Africa and we look forward to develop a unique
viewing experience for the Nigerian audience,” Pedro said.

Huge audience Pedro
said that OSMI and BON mindful of the interest in the country regarding
the World Cup would ensure that Nigerians get a good view of all the
matches. He stated that the rights affords them the opportunity to
broadcast to 93 per cent of Nigerians with the remaining seven per cent
right awarded to an internationally owned cable television channel.

‘We will not let Nigerians down.’

The World Cup
taking place in Africa is a unique opportunity for us and we intend to
capitalise on it. We are improving on service delivery and there will
blanket coverage of the tournament,” the OSMI boss said.

He stated that all
BON stakeholders who made financial commitment to the rights purchase
would be beneficiaries of the dividends that accrue from airing the
matches while other members, who he described as ‘non stakeholders,’
while being free to air the matches, are prohibited from deriving any
material benefits from such transmission.

No longer business as usual

On the practice of
some members of the public broadcasting matches without clearance from
OSMI/BON, he said it would be condoned, stating that, “We have made
significant investments to make sure Nigerians watch the matches free.
It is part of our social responsibility. We have paid enormously to
ensure that the rights are secured and protected.

We have contacted the Nigeria Copy commission and notable lawyers to
ensure that it won’t be business as usual. Public viewing rights belong
to OSMI/BON. Any viewing centre interested in screening matches should
contact us. Anyone who engages in illegal screening will face punitive
measures.”